Abou Diaby: Arsenal midfielder hopes to return from injury to play in World Cup for France

The 27-year-old has been out injured since March last year

Abou Diaby hopes to return to the Arsenal team before the end of the season (EPA)

Abou Diaby, the Arsenal midfielder, has revealed that he hopes to return to action before the end of the season, and then play for France at the World Cup.

The midfielder, whose time in north London has been blighted by injuries, has been sidelined for a whole year after suffering knee ligament damage in March 2013. He is currently in France working on his fitness, and said that he was always confident of playing again.

"I never had such a long break," Diaby told France Football. "I never had a knee injury and it is really weird. You can feel physically there is something different.

"But I learnt a lot from my injuries. I can keep things in perspective.

"Even now I am very close to the end of my specific work, I keep things in perspective.

"I can master my impatience. I want to be back being strong, very strong and perfectly at ease in my body.

"I work hard without asking questions. I work hard because I know in the end I will play again.

"I am still a high level footballer in my mind, otherwise I would have given up. But I never think to give it up.

"It doesn't mean I never had difficult moments, but I have always bounced back. Some people experience much more difficult things in their lives. I know my reward will be to have fun playing again.

"I will take stock with Arsenal medical staff early in April, but I hope to resume collective training sessions very soon.

"My priorities? Feeling fine and play again before the end of the season.

"I don't think I will be scared to play. I trust my body. Nowadays I feel strong, but I know coming back to London I will also have some changes. I am watching closely my diet and recovering periods."

Diaby, who was won 16 caps for the national side, also said that he still has aspirations to play for Les Blues at this summer's World Cup.

"The French team? I have never abandoned the idea to go to the World Cup," added Diaby.

"I have always kept that in a corner of my mind to go on working. As soon as I will be back on the pitch, everything is possible."